GREAT news for sea anglers, the introduction of sea licences has been stopped after discussions with concerned sea anglers up and down the country.

GREAT news for sea anglers, the introduction of sea licences has been stopped after discussions with concerned sea anglers up and down the country.

There will also be more benefits for anglers, including a review of nursery areas for the protection of bass stocks and of inshore netting and a pilot study on area-based restrictions to support sea angling.

Measures will also be taken to increase the protection of tope. This news is from Defra’s Coastal Waters Policy Branch. For further information contact Mr John Law 07856552748.

Freshwater fishing

Match anglers get ready for another £1,000 payout at Firswood Fisheries near Skelmersdale. Keith, the owner, has given the qualifying dates of this popular series.

Also, Keith has put up £100 for the first match angler to catch 100lb in a match.

Dates for the qualifiers are June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, final on July 1st. £25 all in. Tel: 07980972307. Wednesday Opens also start on April 16, draw 4pm.

Hurlston Hall near Ormskirk has got off to a great start with carp anglers already catching four fish over 20lb, along with lots in double figures.

Rosemary Wood at Haskayne also excellent especially on the Island Lake. Already 100lb catches being taken using pellet, sweetcorn and maggots. Large Lake good on method feeder.

Mescar Lakes in Lydiate is very popular with match anglers and heavily stocked, producing good catches to pellet, corn on pole, waggler and feeder.

Drummersdale Lakes has some great carp fishing. Using pole and paste is good over micro pellets. Feeder to islands on corn or pellet for quality carp.

Sephton Farm starts is Sunday Open matches this week with carp included. (two keepnets must be used, one for silver fish). Draw is 9am, fish 10 til 3.

Lathom Fisheries at Burscough is solid with fish. Very good mixed species waters and you can enjoy a good day out catching all day on pellet, maggot, corn.

Bannister House good on paste, pellet to pole tactics, good head of carp, bream, tench etc. Night fishing allowed.

Twin Lakes at Croston in fine form with maggot, caster catching good bags of roach. Very deep fish to hand close in. Keepnets allowed. Also perch, carp and bream.

Trout Lake excellent for fish over 10lb on fly only.

Mere Beck Fly Fishery is good and a pleasure to fish. Well maintained to the highest standards. Lessons for beginners if required.

Leisure Lakes, good carp to 24lb being caught on this up and coming carp fishery. Stocking of large fish being maintained. Night fishing allow. Use pop-ups for best results.

Leeds-Liverpool Canal and Rufford Canal showing up some nice bream to bread punch and caster. In April last year I caught bags exceeding 100lb and will keep you informed when the bream shoal up.

Sea Fishing

Not great fishing yet, but some bass being caught at Hall Road and Ainsdale Beach. Dogfish and rays to sandeel and ‘blueys’ at docks. Mariners Wharf producing rays and flatties.